UFH+SOLAR+SOLID FUEL+DHW

L driver

Hello,
Looking for a bit of help on this one.
If we are trying to move away from oil and gas and heatpumps, does our lifestyles have to change a little too?
For the last 15 years people have a cylinder of hot water in the hot press 24/7, for what? Is a system that links solar and solid fuel(i.e wood) possible. Could one have a buffer tank in the garage and solar and wood burner connected to it. Off that buffer tank the UFH, for the very cold periods, could be drawn. And the DHW when needed also.
I know posters will say that the screed should be our buffer but the two heat sources are not that controllable.
When there is a cold snap on the way or baths needed light the wood burner and have the buffer tank ready for requirements.
For Dhw the solar panels in summer should suffice, in winter we don't need hot water 24/7 so I would argue that an electric post heater would be efficient for washing the dishes/shower. This heater could be by passed if the cylinder is warm enough.
Could this system be applied, also is it possible to add on more solar panels to improve the system over time, especially winter months?
I' probably a bit vague on details and heat demands, but you get what I'm trying to say. The house being passive/low energy!

L driver

Hello,
Wouldn't have expected no reply in 24hrs:( Maybe it is a badly worded post:o
Any opinions?

I'm not sure what you are asking.

My set-up has a thermal store in the hot press that is fed by an oil boiler, solar panels and a sloid fuel boiler, all located in the garage with a buffer tank.

It all works quite well, with a bit of planning and good design, you can mix and match just about any energy sources to heat the house & DHW.

L driver

Thanks Dolanbaker. Could you manage without the oil ? I'm not good on the plumbing side of things. What sort of solid fuel burner have you?

L driver

L driver wrote: »

Thanks Dolanbaker. Could you manage without the oil ? I'm not good on the plumbing side of things. What sort of solid fuel burner have you?

Not at the moment, oil provides about 80% of the heating, more during a cold snap. The solid fuel boiler is a "modified" old stanley range, I put an extra heat exchanger in it.
I plan to build a new solid fuel boiler that will be more efficient than the stove as it was not designed to just heat water, so therefore heats the garage as well which is a waste.

L driver

Will the new boiler, plus a good supply of wood, mean you will do without oil? Could you elaborate more on your house and set up please. Were you McGyver 20 years ago.... "when I build a new boiler":) That' beyond me

L driver

L driver wrote: »

Will the new boiler, plus a good supply of wood, mean you will do without oil? Could you elaborate more on your house and set up please. Were you McGyver 20 years ago.... "when I build a new boiler":) That' beyond me

Look at the "self-build website" in my sig.

L driver

Maith thú agus tá teach álainn agat, níl ach amadán é McGyver!:D
With the new boiler will you be independent of oil and how is the ST these days with all the grian ag taithneamh?